Customs officers have warned the public to be vigilant after seizing hundreds
of potentially dangerous fake Nintendo DS and DS Lite consoles.
A Nintendo representative confirmed to Computeractive that it is also aware
of fake DSi – the latest version of the DS, currently not available in the UK –
and Wii consoles being sold online.
The fake DS and DS Lite consoles, which are being sold online as genuine
Nintendo products, include power adapters that have not been electrically
tested. The consoles are being sold online at prices far lower than the genuine
Nintendo products.
"At best, these consoles would have led to disappointment on Christmas
morning," said HMRC's Pamela Rogers. "At worst, they could have caused serious
harm or injury."
A customs spokesperson told Computeractive that ELSPA, which represents
Nintendo and other games publishers, is working to have the websites in question
taken down.
In the meantime, the fake DS consoles should be relatively easy to spot.
"First of all, look at the price," the spokesperson said. "If you're getting
the console for less than £70 there's probably something wrong with it. Also,
genuine Nintendo products come sealed in a single box. The fakes come in a badly
packed box with the power adapter supplied separately".
A spokesperson for ELSPA said that it was "continuing to work very closely
with Trading Standards on this important safety issue."
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